Queen set to rule
Dermot Weld’s classy mare got off the mark over flights at the first time of asking with an easy success in a maiden at Leopardstown at Christmas.
She made every yard of the running to score by six lengths from Letterman. The second hasn’t run in the meantime, but three subsequent winners have emerged from the contest.
This is obviously a much stiffer test for the selection and you have to respect the likes of Homer Wells, Southern Vic and Sweet Kiln. Queen Astrid, however, is a decent recruit to this game, rated over 100 on the flat, and is the one to beat.
Pat Fahy’s Publican rates a safe wager in the opening 27-runner Saggart Maiden Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh’s mount is a dual bumper winner and will surely come on plenty for his first pop over flights, finishing a close third to Satoha and L’Antartique at Leopardstown.
Central House can take his third prize of the campaign in the Paddy and Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase.
He scored at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse, before finding Rathgar Beau far too good at Thurles. Rathgar Beau has since won in a canter at Gowran Park and Central House faces nothing of that calibre now.
Well Presented, who is clearly going the right way, has to get the nod in the Anglo Irish Bank Nas Na Riogh Chase.
He took a moderate event at Fairyhouse by 12 lengths and then stepped up in class when a length second to stable companion Carrigeen Victor in the Grade One Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown.
At Fairyhouse this afternoon, Edward O’Grady has prospects of a treble. It will be a big surprise if Ned Kelly doesn’t get the Tipperary handler away to a flier in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase.
Ned Kelly was in a different league at Leopardstown last month, taking third spot behind Ulaan Bataar and Foreman.
Davy Russell partners Ned Kelly and he and O’Grady can team up with Pizarro to win the Bobbyjo Chase. Pizarro didn’t jump well, eventually paying the ultimate penalty five out, in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown, race won by Rule Supreme. Hopefully, he will jump better in this much easier test.
Sky’s The Limit, David Casey rides, is the other O’Grady possibility in the Tattersalls (Ireland) Derby Sale Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.
He was beaten a length and a half by Strangely Brown at Punchestown and that seems smart form now, considering Strangely Brown went on to land a Grade Two at Leopardstown.
Never Compromise, who made a bad blunder four out when beaten eight lengths by Lord Of The Turf at Leopardstown, is the choice in the John McCarthy Memorial Hunters Chase.
